Already on Sunday, it was clear that around 95 percent of the CHP party's approximately 1.7 million members had voted for Imamoglu to challenge President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the next presidential election.
The CHP also allowed all eligible voters in the country to cast their votes, regardless of whether they were party members or not. Over 13 million non-members – more than seven times the total number of party members – voted.
Large demonstrations have been ongoing for several days in Turkey in support of the mayor, who is being held in custody on corruption charges. On Sunday, the Interior Ministry announced that Imamoglu would be dismissed as mayor.
The arrest of Imamoglu has led to widespread protests in over 55 of the country's 81 provinces. Clashes with riot police have been reported in some areas. Over 1,100 people, including journalists, have been arrested, according to the authorities.
The popular 53-year-old mayor has been seen as the only politician who could defeat President Erdogan in an election.
